On Thursday, 17 November 2022, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA) and the RES4Africa collaboratively hosted an event that included the launch of the CSIR-EWSETA Energy Industry Support Programme at the CSIR International Convention Centre.

The programme is envisaged to support small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that want to participate (or are already participating) in the energy sector, as well as fill the skills gaps in the labour market for the emerging energy industry. It aims to encourage innovation and help empower innovators and the labour force with the skills required to contribute to economic development through the energy sector.

Dr Bethuel Sehlapelo, the Executive Cluster Manager of CSIR Smart Places, officially welcomed the delegates to the CSIR and gave an overview of the contribution and work that the CSIR has done through collaboration within industry.

Dr Sehlapelo’s introductory address was followed by the official launch of the Energy Industry Support Programme, presented by the CSIR programme lead and acting Research Group Leader at the Energy Research Centre, Aradhna Pandarum.  “The programme aims to encourage innovation among the industry by providing the technical expertise that can aid the development of technological ambitions of the industry. In addition, the programme will, in future, seek to inspire the use of developed intellectual property through the commercialisation of identified relevant technologies and where there is a demand,” said Pandarum .

This programme is being co-funded by the CSIR Energy Industry and the EWSETA. The total external funding secured for the next five years is R9.35 million. It is envisaged that the programme will be expanded and could include other possible collaborators, such as the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants Enterprise Development and the Black Management Forum.

The Chief Executive Officer of EWSETA, Mpho Mookapele, firmly stated, “The reality is that people are at the core of the Just Transition. We always try to address this question: How do we capacitate and ensure that we create opportunities for graduates through small businesses?”

The programme will be implemented in two segments. The first is about upskilling and providing support through training sessions and, in the second segment, a few SMMEs will be selected to be technically incubated. It is envisaged that the programme will grow (with other partners and funders coming onboard) to include a third segment with the aim of developing new technologies, and commercialisation.